RMH-Sentara merger finalized
RMH officials announced today that the RMH Healthcare merger with Sentara Healthcare is finalized and the official closing date for the transaction is expected to be around May 1.
“Routine filings need to take place, and we expect these to be completed around May 1,” said Jim Krauss, president of RMH Healthcare. “Then RMH will officially be a proud member of the Sentara Healthcare system. We are pleased to be bringing together the best of our two organizations to meet the healthcare needs of our local community. Sentara is positioned to assure that we fulfill our vision of providing exceptional quality and compassionate care for every person, every family, every day.”
RMH will become the ninth hospital in the Sentara Healthcare system of not-for-profit hospitals, Krauss noted.
“Sentara shares our focus on patient safety and quality and is committed to helping us expand our programs and services,” he said. “Sentara also has high employee satisfaction, low turnover and a culture that fosters excellent patient care and customer service, so I think we’ve picked a great partner.”
Norfolk-based Sentara Healthcare will help safeguard RMH’s future with investments in programs and services to meet the needs of a growing community.
“We are delighted to be officially in Harrisonburg, partnering with RMH Healthcare to improve health every day in this vibrant community,” said Sentara CEO David Bernd. “Together, our strengths in the delivery of high-quality healthcare will enable us to meet the evolving health needs of this community for generations to come. In addition, Sentara is committed to keeping the community’s generous donations to RMH local. All funds raised through the RMH Foundation will remain local and serve to meet RMH’s mission. ”
Conclusion of the agreement marks the beginning of a transition period which could take up to a year as RMH Healthcare and Sentara Healthcare integrate operations, IT technologies, business practices and workplace cultures.
“This will be an exciting time for all of us,” said Bernd. “We’re looking forward to having RMH in the Sentara family.”
Krauss added, “As we enter a new and exciting phase in the life of RMH, it is important to remember that we are still RMH — our community’s healthcare provider, committed to our mission to improve health and promote well being–with the support of a new partner who shares that mission.”
nTelos Wireless updates handset protection program
Waynesboro-based nTelos Wireless, known for providing high-speed, dependable, nationwide service, has partnered with Asurion to offer its handset protection program.
In the event of cell phone loss, theft, malfunction or out-of-warranty damage – including liquid damage – nTelos enhancements customers now enjoy include:
- Receiving a replacement handset as soon as the next day at no additional charge.
- Peace of mind that their replacement will be backed by an industry-leading 12-month warranty.
- The ability to file and complete a claim online or take advantage of extended call center hours
After conducting a thorough evaluation of potential partners, nTelos selected the technology protection company Asurion, which is known in the industry for its customer benefits and service.
“We are excited to be offering a best-in-class handset protection program,” said Rob Cale, vice president of marketing for nTelos. “Our customers will benefit from our partnership with an industry leading provider – and an offering that includes faster replacement service, longer call center hours, an on-line claims process, and a 12-month warranty on the replacement devices.”
“nTelos is a premier wireless operator and we are proud to be providing their customers with a quick, easy way to stay connected to friends and family,” stated Rodney Schlosser, Asurion’s senior vice president of business development. “Programs such as the nTelos Device Protection Service are very important, particularly as more and more subscribers move to smartphones, which store personal information and have a higher replacement cost. Asurion and nTelos will work to ensure that customers stay connected to friends, family and coworkers.”
Augusta Health’s School of Clinical Laboratory Science receives accreditation
The School of Clinical Laboratory Science at Augusta Health has received a full seven-year accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Accreditation by the NAACLS is a year-long process that includes completion of a self-study document that details compliance with 22 national standards and a site visit by the agency.
NAACLS is the premier international agency for accreditation and approval of educational programs in the clinical laboratory sciences and related health professions. “We are pleased with our full seven year accreditation by the NAACLS because it validates our commitment to high standards and quality in both our clinical lab and our programs to educate our students. This accreditation is important to the school, the hospital, and to patients,” said Ellie Coggins, MLS, MSHA, program director.
Augusta Health’s School of Clinical Laboratory Science was first established in 1955 at King’s Daughters’ Hospital as the School of Medical Technology. The school is affiliated with seven colleges and universities. Students in the program spend a year at Augusta Health, in both classroom and clinical settings, learning all aspects of laboratory science.
Food Bank receives donation of hams from Giant
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank CEO Larry Zippin (left) receives a donation of hams from Michael Greller, district manager at Giant Foods and a Food Bank board member.
Giant Foods delivered a truckload of 150 hams to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank on Wednesday for area families in need. The hams arrived just in time for the Easter holiday.
Giant traditionally has supported the Food Bank throughout the year and during major holiday seasons with food drives, fundraisers and large food donations, providing hundreds of thousands of meals to families served through the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in Central and Western Virginia.
Seven-run third lifts #1 UVa. over Richmond
The top-ranked Virginia baseball team scored seven runs in the third inning, highlighted by an inside-the-park grand slam by Danny Hultzen (Jr., Bethesda, Md.), en route to a 12-1 victory over Richmond Wednesday evening in front of 3,128 spectators at Davenport Field. The attendance figure represents a home midweek record for Virginia Baseball.
Hultzen had a pair of hits and four RBI for Virginia (38-3), while David Coleman (Sr., Richmond, Va.) went 3-for-3 and now has recorded seven hits in his last seven at bats. The Cavaliers finished with 15 hits. Richmond (19-16-2) posted six hits from six different players. Read more
Weekend Watchdog: Sports for the Easter basket
Easter Sunday means NASCAR Sprint Cup takes a rare week off. But other sports continue their marches.
The second weekend of the NBA playoffs starts Thursday with Game 3 from Philadelphia (against the Heat at 8 p.m.) and Portland (against Dallas at 10:30 p.m.) Friday, ESPN offers a pair of games starting at 7 p.m. – Celtics vs. Knicks, then Lakers at Hornets – while the Hawks play the Magic at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.Saturday, TNT has the afternoon doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m. The Pacers host Chicago in Game 4 of that series, followed by the Mavericks at Portland. ESPN shows a pair of games, with the Spurs taking on Memphis at 7:30 p.m. then Thunder and Nuggets play at 10.
ABC has an Eastern Conference doubleheader on Sunday. The 76ers host the Heat at 1 p.m., then it’s Celtics-Knicks. TNT has coverage starting at 7 p.m. with the Magic at Hawks, then the Lakers take on the Hornets.
Then it’s a week of “if necessary, while the NHL enters the “if necessary” zone this weekend. Thursday, Versus starts coverage at 7 p.m. with Game 4 of the Canadiens and Bruins. Chicago made Game 5 necessary with a win Tuesday, and will face Vancouver Thursday in the nightcap.
Friday, it’s necessary for Versus to find some programming – Detroit won in four straight. From the West Coast, the Predators go against the Ducks in Game 5. There’s four games on the Saturday schedule. NBC shows the Capitals against Rangers in Game 5 at 3 p.m., with three other games on Versus – Lightning at Penguins at noon, Canadiens-Bruins at 7 p.m. and the Kings facing the Sharks at 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, Versus has Game 6 of the Flyers-Sabres series – if it makes it that far.
The NL Central battle between Cincinnati and St. Louis take centerstage this weekend, on FOX Saturday afternoon and ESPN Sunday night. FOX also shows the White Sox at Tigers and Braves-Giants, while TBS has the Dodgers at Cubs Sunday afternoon.
The Orioles face Minnesota Thursday on MASN, then the Yankees visit for the weekend.
The Nationals have a Thursday afternoon game in St. Louis on MASN, then head to Pittsburgh for a series with the Pirates on MASN2.
ACC baseball gets coverage on Comcast Friday, as Miami visits North Carolina at 7 p.m. Saturday, Virginia hosts N.C. State at 1 p.m. and Louisiana-Monroe visits Middle Tennessee. ESPN2 offers Alabama against Florida Saturday at 8 p.m. and LSU-Vanderbilt battle Sunday at 3 p.m.
Since it’s Easter weekend, the Nationwide Series goes it alone – racing from Nashville Saturday at 3 p.m. on ESPN.
The PGA tour heads to Hilton Head for the Heritage this weekend, with coverage of the final two rounds on CBS at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
D.C. United plays New York Thursday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.
MASN has Saturday lacrosse, with Yale visiting Georgetown at 1 p.m. Comcast has the ACC women’s lacrosse championship at 1 p.m., followed by the men’s title tilt at 3:30 p.m.
For an SEC softball doubleheader, it’s Alabama vs. Friday Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2 and Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN.
Weekend Watchdog: Sports for the Easter basket
Easter Sunday means NASCAR Sprint Cup takes a rare week off. But other sports continue their marches.
The second weekend of the NBA playoffs starts Thursday with Game 3 from Philadelphia (against the Heat at 8 p.m.) and Portland (against Dallas at 10:30 p.m.) Friday, ESPN offers a pair of games starting at 7 p.m. – Celtics vs. Knicks, then Lakers at Hornets – while the Hawks play the Magic at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.Saturday, TNT has the afternoon doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m. The Pacers host Chicago in Game 4 of that series, followed by the Mavericks at Portland. ESPN shows a pair of games, with the Spurs taking on Memphis at 7:30 p.m. then Thunder and Nuggets play at 10. Read more
Campaign finance: GOP incumbents report cash totals
A look at campaign-finance numbers for the upcoming 2011 Virginia General Assembly elections shows long-time Republican State Sen. Emmett Hanger in the best money position among local incumbents.
Hanger reported $98,448 in cash on hand as of March 31, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Hanger, R-Mount Solon, has a proven ability to raise money. The Mount Solon resident spent $286,217 on his 2007 re-election in the 24th Senate District, most of it – $259,619 – in a tightly contested May GOP primary, in which he defeated challenger Scott Sayre by less than 600 votes.
Rockbridge Republican State Del. Ben Cline reported $29,173 cash on hand as of March 31. The 24th House District representative spent $148,109 on his 2009 re-election campaign, in which he defeated Democrat Jeff Price, receiving 71.2 percent of the vote.
Weyers Cave Republican Steve Landes reported $5,706 cash on hand on March 31. Landes spent $140,472 on his 2009 re-election campaign in the 25th House District, in which he defeated Democrat Greg Marrow, receiving 73.2 percent of the vote.
Staunton Republican Dickie Bell reported $5,204 cash on hand on March 31. Bell spent $55,020 on his 2009 election in the 20th House District, in which he defeated Democrat Erik Curren, receiving 71.2 percent of the vote.
Revolving door
Another postseason, another revolving door for Tony Bennett, who this week saw the departure of one of the members of his heralded freshman class with Will Regan’s announcement that he will not be returning for his sophomore season.
Another perspective you could have is that at least Bennett is only losing one guy this spring – after the high-profile departures of Sylven Landesberg, Jeff Jones and Tristan Spurlock following Bennett’s first season in Charlottesville in 2010. Read more
JMU pitchers dominate Maryland
Nine James Madison pitchers tossed one inning apiece to combine on a four-hitter in a 6-1 victory over Maryland in a nonconference baseball game Tuesday evening at Shipley Field.
JMU improved to 26-12 overall with its fourth win in five games and defeated Maryland for the second time in seven days after a 12-8 win in 12 innings last Wednesday. UM dropped to 17-21. Read more
Historic 66th Market Animal Show slated for May 4-5
For two days each May the animal stockyard in Staunton turns into an agribusiness classroom. Mixed in among the dust, tears, bleats, moos, and squeals are a lot of life lessons not only in animal husbandry, but in business, citizenship, and marketing as well. On May 4-5 at the Staunton Union Stockyard on New Hope Road, the classroom opens again with the 66th annual Augusta County 4-H and FFA Market Animal Show.
The 212 4-H and FFA elementary, middle, and high schoolers from across Augusta County mark the largest number of students who will be exhibiting market lambs, hogs, and steers during the history of the event. The show, which is sponsored each year by Augusta County Ruritan clubs, Staunton Rotary Club, Staunton-Augusta Rotary Club, and the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce, is the largest of its kind east of the Mississippi River. There are 149 steers, 188 lambs, and 183 hogs pre-registered for this year’s show.
Who would have thought in 1945 when assistant county Extension Agent and 4-H leader Dick Coffey helped start the “Sears Roebuck 4-H Cow, Pig, and Hen Contest” that the show would still be going strong in 2011? By the third year of the show, in 1947, it was called the 4-H-FFA Baby Beef Show and Sale. Later the show was renamed the Fat Stock Show until the 1970s when it became the Market Livestock Show. In the 1990s, the show became the Market Animal Show, the name it retains today.
The event opens with the show dedication at 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 5. Each year the show is dedicated to a long-time supporter of the event whose name will be revealed during the opening ceremonies. The lamb show will begin immediately following the dedication and will be followed by the hog show. Thursday’s events will begin with the steer show at 8:30 a.m.
The Market Animal Show culminates Thursday evening with the Parade of Champions beginning at 5 p.m. Sale of livestock will follow the parade. Area businesses and individuals support 4-H and FFA members by bidding on animals for sale.
Grand Champions and Reserve Grand Champions will be selected from lambs, hogs, and steers. Exhibitors also will compete for $100 U.S. Savings Bonds for the top junior, senior and novice showmanship effort in each species. A number of other awards are given to exhibitors who have excelled in some aspect of the event. Those seven special awards honor individuals who have been instrumental in the show’s history. They are Jim Coffey, J.W. Riley, Jr., George A. Beam, Carl Grove, R.L. Coffey, Alton Lewis, and Vaughn Ashby.
For information about participating as a buyer at this year’s Market Animal Show, call the Augusta County Extension office at 540.245.5750 or visit www.marketanimalshow.org.
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Jim Bishop: Something new, fresh personifies this joyful Eastertide
Posted on April 21, 2011 · Leave a Comment
The sky remains clear, the air fresh, temperatures slowly rise and hover in the low 70s and the distant haze dissipates, revealing the purple majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I could only be outside a short time, but I savored every moment as a sense of rejuvenation flooded my being.
“I enjoy putting this exhilarating, artistic spin on my Creation,” Jehovah God thinks aloud. “Behold, that’s good. Why don’t I do this more often?”
Indeed, if these kind of magical days did appear more frequently, I suspect we’d soon take them for granted, like so many other undeserved gifts and blessings regularly bestowed.
Easter is such a gift. The day itself skips around the calendar each year, arriving as early as March 22 and as late as April 25.
Whatever the date, when it comes, I accept it gladly and unwrap it eagerly.
There’s nothing wrong with celebrating the season by hiding and hunting colored eggs, dressing up, enjoying a special meal or singing “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” (who remembers that Gene Autry rendition?). In fact, the Energizer Bunny makes sure this aging boomer still gets a basket of carbohydrate delights. But that shouldn’t be the primary focus.
The events surrounding that first Easter were dark, confusing, tragic and, yes, violent. There was trepidation and mystery, cowardice, betrayal and denial. But, there was also the introduction of a new access to the divine initiated at that Last Supper, as Our Lord broke bread, shared the cup and washed the feet of his bewildered disciples in that Upper Room.
“Do these things ‘til I come again,” he admonished, as the shadow of the cross loomed ever larger.
Waiting on the other side of this turbulent train of events were prophecies and promises kept, miraculous appearances and disbelief turned to belief and certainty. A stone blocking an empty tomb was rolled away and with it, the sins of humankind – a new day had arrived.
These extraordinary events re-echo in this Scripture passage, full of blessed assurance:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities;
Who heals all your diseases.
Who redeems your life from the pit;
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”
- Psalm 103:2-3 NASB
Whatever age or life stage, I must continually ask: what is that new thing seething in my innermost being that is itching to come to full flower? If we don’t respond to that seed of newness and cultivate and water it regularly, it will wither and die. What a misfortune.
In Easter are sown the seeds of freedom, forgiveness, grace and reconciliation and peace, individually and corporately.
God quietly and patiently whispers to each of us, “Come, accept this gift of renewal, of new life,” and surely tires of hearing the response, “Thanks, but I’m content (or just indifferent) with things as they are.”
Why would we spurn a gift so rich and free, when acceptance allows us to go forth boldly into the bright and shining new day, living in the power of the resurrection?
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